The 1 Day Shimba Hills Safari from Mombasa is a private, single-day 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep safari to Kenya's only home of the sable antelope, with a game drive, a guided hike to Sheldrick Falls, and lunch at a forest lodge.
Quick Facts
| Duration | 1 day, roughly 10–12 hours door to door |
|---|---|
| Style | Private safari — your own vehicle and guide |
| Vehicle | 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep with pop-up roof |
| Reserve | Shimba Hills National Reserve, 33km south of Mombasa |
| Pickup | Mombasa, Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu, Diani, South Coast |
| Departure Time | Approximately 6:00–7:00 AM |
| Return Time | Approximately 4:00–5:30 PM |
| Price From | USD 150–300 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing) |
| Best For | Coastal holidaymakers wanting a wildlife and hiking day trip without giving up a night of the beach holiday |
Shimba Hills National Reserve sits 33km south of Mombasa and about 30–45 minutes from Diani Beach. It's Kenya's only home to the sable antelope and has the highest elephant density in the country. This is coastal rainforest, not savannah — cooler air, sea breeze, and frequent morning mist.
A 1-day Shimba Hills safari from Mombasa gets you a full day of game viewing, a guided hike to Sheldrick Falls, and lunch at a forest lodge, without giving up a night of your beach holiday. It's one of the easiest wildlife add-ons from the Kenya coast.
Beyond The Plains Safaris runs this as a private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep safari, with hotel pickup from Mombasa, Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu, Diani, and the South Coast.
Safari Highlights
- Kenya's only wild population of sable antelope
- Highest elephant density of any Kenyan reserve
- Coastal rainforest scenery, cooler than the savannah parks
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Guided hike to Sheldrick Falls with an armed KWS ranger, included
- Swim in the plunge pool at the base of the falls
- Lunch at a tree-top forest lodge overlooking a waterhole
- Over 100 recorded bird species
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep with pop-up roof
- Hotel pickup and drop-off across Mombasa and the South Coast
Your Safari Day, Step by Step
This is a single-day safari, so the breakdown below is your day, step by step, from early pickup to evening drop-off. Total duration is roughly 10–12 hours door to door.
Pickup from Your Hotel
Pickup from your Mombasa or South Coast hotel. Mombasa departures cross the Likoni Ferry — allow extra time here, especially during morning rush.
Arrive at Shimba Hills Gate
Registration and briefing at the reserve gate before heading in for the morning's game drive.
Morning Game Drive
Target species include sable antelope, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, bushbuck and colobus monkey. Over 100 bird species have been recorded in the reserve.
Guided Walk to Sheldrick Falls
A guided walk to Sheldrick Falls with an armed KWS ranger, mandatory and included. It's 30–45 minutes each way on a marked forest trail. Swim in the plunge pool at the base of the falls if you'd like — bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes.
Lunch
Lunch at Shimba Hills Lodge or a similar tree-top lodge, overlooking a waterhole.
Afternoon Game Drive
A second pass through different sections of the reserve, with your guide adjusting the route to recent wildlife activity.
Return to Your Hotel
Return drive to your hotel, arriving early evening.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Priced per person, in USD. The private tour runs in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep with a pop-up roof.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–June, November
- High SeasonJuly–October, January–February
- Peak SeasonDecember 20–January 5, Easter
Private Land Cruiser Safari Rates
| Group Size | Low Season | High Season | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $220 pp | $260 pp | $300 pp |
| 4 people | $180 pp | $210 pp | $245 pp |
| 6 people | $150 pp | $175 pp | $205 pp |
Children 3–12 years: typically 50% of the adult rate. Request a family quote before booking.
Get a Live Quote for Your Dates ›What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Mombasa, Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu, Diani, South Coast)
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep with pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Shimba Hills National Reserve park entry fees
- Armed ranger for the Sheldrick Falls walk
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Lunch at Shimba Hills Lodge or similar
- Likoni Ferry crossing (Mombasa departures)
Excluded
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks outside the vehicle water
- Tips and gratuities for driver and ranger
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Getting There
From Mombasa: Likoni Ferry to the South Coast, then roughly 33km on the A14 to the reserve turn-off. Budget an extra 30–45 minutes for the ferry, more during the morning commuter rush.
From Diani Beach
No ferry needed. Around 30–40 minutes direct.
Road Conditions
Roads inside the reserve can get slick during the long rains (April–June) and short rains (November). A 4x4 is recommended, and it's what we use for every private booking.
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